Alief ISD trustees hear budget and legislative update; district projects deficit will clear next year

Alief ISD trustees received an update on the district’s budget and active education bills in the Texas Legislature, hearing that a projected deficit at the end of this school year is likely to disappear in the next fiscal year but that several program allotments remain underfunded.

Financial staff said the district’s 2023–24 CTE allotment totaled about $17.9 million and must be spent at a minimum 55 percent rate, leaving roughly $4.5 million available for other uses; the district reported spending and program needs exceed the allotment. The board also heard that the district’s CCMR allotment was $1.4 million against an annual cost of about $2.6 million, creating an ongoing district expense of roughly $1.2 million.

“We do exceed the 55 percent required allotment,” Charles Woods said of the CTE funding, noting the net available balance after required spending. Doctor Mays, the superintendent, summarized the broader financial posture: “We are keeping you all well informed of legislative moves and changes as they come by the moment.”

Why it matters: CTE and CCMR dollars are targeted state allotments intended to support career programs and college‑and‑career readiness measures. Speakers said the district uses other local funds to supplement those accounts to meet program requirements and student needs.

Presenters reviewed the district’s general‑fund projection for 2024–25 and said the only significant near‑term change since the last update was lower expected interest income — roughly $750,000 less than earlier estimates — and higher salary outlays connected to a midpoint increase trustees previously approved. The district currently shows a projected reduction in fund balance for 2024–25 but projects an increase of about $5 million in 2025–26 under current assumptions.

District staff also reviewed teacher certification trends. Using Texas Education Agency (TEA) data, presenters said national enrollment in education majors has declined sharply since 1970 and that Alief had 16.1 percent uncertified teachers for 2024–25 compared with a state average of about 10.9 percent. The district reported that 46 percent of its new hires for 2024–25 were uncertified (the presenter noted TEA numbers vary and cited a conservative 34 percent figure as the statewide rate of uncertified new hires in 2024).

“While they may be uncertified, they do not just walk in off the street. They do have a degree,” Trustee Williams said during public discussion of alternative certification pathways. Administrators described an associate‑teacher “grow your own” pathway and said the program has produced certificated teachers but that some participants fail to complete credentialing within the three‑year window.

On pending legislation, staff summarized several bills under active debate in Austin that could affect district funding or operations, including House Bill 2 (school finance changes and limits on certain noncertified hires in foundation curriculum) and other measures addressing employee leave, TRS ActiveCare participation, CPR/AED training, charter‑district campus contracts, windstorm insurance credits and voter thresholds for bond or tax elections. Presenters said HB2’s current language could reduce the district’s expected “hold‑harmless” amount by roughly $9.5 million if the House and Senate versions are not reconciled.

“Until it’s settled, we won’t know the final number,” Woods said of hold‑harmless calculations. Trustees were told that, absent legislative changes that further reduce revenue, the district expects to implement the previously approved midpoint increase and retention incentives and to end 2025–26 without a deficit.

Ending: Board members asked for continued updates in the coming weeks as the session proceeds and for written documentation of the district’s assumptions. The administration said it will bring more detailed staffing and compensation proposals in subsequent agenda items.